Find a Ride with Uber

If you live in a major city like Boston, Chicago, or New York, you're probably used to getting around by public transportation and taxi. But inevitably, there are times when you'll find yourself nowhere near a subway stop with not a taxi to be found. A new app called Uber is aimed at getting you home safely by helping you find a private driver.

Once installed on an iPhone or Android, Uber is super-simple to use. All you have to do is choose your pick-up location and drop-off destination on a map. You'll be shown the location of the closest available driver and the approximate time he'll be able to pick you up. Within moments of confirming you want the ride, you'll get a phone call from the driver checking the location. Next steps: Hopping in and hopping out. All charges are billed directly to a credit card linked to your account. When I tried the service out here in The Big Apple, my driver, Carlos, was not only prompt, but conversational and extremely polite.

While you'll pay more for this service than for other forms of city transportation, it's a reasonable alternative when you're in a pinch or getting there on time or traveling in style is important. For example, my trip which was a traffic-laden, 41 block, 30 minute trip cost $37 (exact pricing here). Depending on the city you're in, the base fare starts at around $7, and costs an additional $4/mile, or $1/minute. It's certainly worth trying out for yourself or keeping in mind for a time when you find yourself without a way to get where you need to go.

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